On This Day

[Raybosailor]

19th. September.

1879 Blackpool Illuminations are switched on for the first time.

1970 The first Glastonbury Festival is held in Pilton, Somerset.

Births
1839 George Cadbury, son of John Cadbury a Quaker who founded the world famous chocolate factory, he believed in the care of his workforce, and he created a model village for his employees at Bournville, Birmingham.
1851 William Hesketh Lever. He changed the process of soap manufacture by using vegetable oils instead of tallow(animal fat). Like George Cadbury he cared about the welfare of his workers, and established the new town of Port Sunlight, Merseyside, to house them.
1934 Brian Epstein, manager of many stars including The Beatles,Gerry & the Pacemakers,Billy J. Kramer
and the Dakotas,The Fourmost and Cilla Black.
1945 Kate Adie, English journalist.
1949 Twiggy,(born Lesley Hornby) English model, actress, and singer.

[Raybosailor]

20th. September.

1906 Cunard Line's RMS Mauretania is launched at the Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson shipyard in Newcastle upon Tyne, she held both East and Westbound Blue Ribbon awards for twenty years.

1911 White Star Line's RMS Olympic collides with British warship HMS Hawke in The Solent.

1946 The first Cannes Film Festival is held, having been delayed seven years due to World War II.

1967 Cunards Queen Elizabeth 2 is launched by HRH Queen Elizabeth 11 at John Brown & Company, Clydebank, Scotland.

Births
1842 James Dewar, Scottish-English chemist and physicist, inventor of the vacuum flask.
1876 Carleton Ellis, American inventor and chemist, he held 753 patents including margarine, polyester and paint stripper.
1933 Dennis Viollet, English footballer and one of the survivors of the Munich air disaster when 23 Manchester United players and officials were killed.
1934 Sophia Loren, Italian actress.
1995 Laura Dekker, Dutch sailor who was the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handed (with stops) in January 2012, at the age of 16.

[Raybosailor]

21st. September.

1937 J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit is published.

1961 Maiden flight of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook transportation helicopter.

1964 Malta gains independence from the United Kingdom.

1981 Belize is granted full independence from the United Kingdom.

Births
1411 Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York, he was killed in The War of The Roses at Wakefield in 1460.
1756 John Loudon McAdam, Scottish engineer who invented "macadamisation" a process of building smooth road surfaces. Edgar Purnell Hooley in 1901 patented a process of mixing crushed rock and tar which is known today as tarmacadam (tarmac for short).
1866 H. G. Wells , science fiction writer "The Invisible Man" was one of his novels.
1874 Gustav Theodore Holst, English born composer "The Planets" being his best known work.
1902 Allen Lane, English publisher who founded Penguin Books with his brothers Richard and John.
1921 Jimmy Young, English singer and radio DJ, his best seller was the cover version of "Too Young".
1930 Bob Stokoe, English footballer and manager, he won an FA Cup winners medal with Newcastle in 1955 and then as manager of rivals Sunderland in their 1-0 victory over Leeds in 1973.
1935 Jimmy Armfield, English footballer and manager who spent all of his playing career at Blackpool, he appeared in a video about dementia in 2015 in recognition of his great friend Sir Tom Finney who played for Preston North End just down the road.
1947 Keith Harris, English ventriloquist, famous for his appearances with 'Orville The Duck' and 'Cuddles The Monkey'.
1947 Stephen King, American author and screenwriter.

[Frank Manning]

In 1940, a convoy battle took place around the unescorted convoy HX72 and 11 ships were sunk.

In 1941, A George Medal was won by the Radio Officer of the 'Walmer Castle', who after the ship had been attacked from the air, in convoy OG74, transmitted distress messages from the Radio Room, and then found himself trapped. He removed debris and forced himself out, subsequently returning three times to rescue others, two of whom were badly hurt. He was one of two George Medals, and 54 MBE's in a total of 247 medals awarded to radio officers for bravery in WWII.

[Frank Manning]

Re 20th September and 'Mauretania', the Mauretania was the sister ship of Lusitania, they were built as a result of the success of the NDL German blue riband winner 'Kaiser Wilhem der Grosse'. The Germans were a catalyst for change twice. The second time in 1929 when they introduced a game changer in the form of the 'Bremen' and the 'Europa'. These two ships completely eclipsed the Mauretania, as a result the blue riband hotted up, considerably, leading to the building of the Italian Rex, French 'Normandie', and Cunard's Queen Mary. More about these later if anyone is interested.

[Raybosailor]

Re 20th September and 'Mauretania', the Mauretania was the sister ship of Lusitania, they were built as a result of the success of the NDL German blue riband winner 'Kaiser Wilhem der Grosse'. The Germans were a catalyst for change twice. The second time in 1929 when they introduced a game changer in the form of the 'Bremen' and the 'Europa'. These two ships completely eclipsed the Mauretania, as a result the blue riband hotted up, considerably, leading to the building of the Italian Rex, French 'Normandie', and Cunard's Queen Mary. More about these later if anyone is interested.

I for one are interested Frank keep it coming,

[Raybosailor]

22nd. September.

Today it is Autumn Equinox ( Equinox is Latin for equal nights) what causes this is the Earths tilt in relation to the sun, today the earths axis is in parallel so there will be 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night so its all downhill today folks longer nights and the winter is just around the corner.

[Frank Manning]

SAD. Here I come....dont remind me Ray! I hate the dark mornings most of all.

[oldbluefox]

Re 20th September and 'Mauretania', the Mauretania was the sister ship of Lusitania, they were built as a result of the success of the NDL German blue riband winner 'Kaiser Wilhem der Grosse'. The Germans were a catalyst for change twice. The second time in 1929 when they introduced a game changer in the form of the 'Bremen' and the 'Europa'. These two ships completely eclipsed the Mauretania, as a result the blue riband hotted up, considerably, leading to the building of the Italian Rex, French 'Normandie', and Cunard's Queen Mary. More about these later if anyone is interested.

I for one are interested Frank keep it coming,

Me too Frank. Perhaps this deserves its own topic heading for those who are interested.

[Raybosailor]

22nd. September.

1857 The Russian warship Lefort capsizes and sinks during a storm in the Gulf of Finland, killing all 826 crew.

1914 German submarine SM U-9 torpedoes and sinks the British cruisers HMS Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy on the Broad Fourteens off the Dutch coast with the loss of over 1,400 men.

1934 An explosion at Gresford Colliery in Wales, led to the deaths of 266 miners and rescuers.

1941 World War II: On Jewish New Year Day, the German SS murder 6,000 Jews in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, a few days earlier about 24,000 Jews were executed.

1955 The television channel ITV goes live for the first time, the first programme was an outside broadcast from London's Guildhall of a dinner to celebrate ITV's launch. The first advert to be aired was for 'Gibbs SR' "the tingling toothpaste for teeth and gums", the channel was only available to viewers in the London area.

Births
1515 Anne of Cleves, the fourth wife of King Henry VIII.
1791 Michael Faraday, it was his research into electromagnetism that led to the use of electric motors that we all rely on today, he also invented an early form of the Bunsen Burner.
1883 Frank George Woollard, from humble beginnings Frank rose to be one of the greatest motor engineers of our time. He was responsible for improving the design of tank gearboxes in WW1 and his talent was spotted by WR Morris the car manufacturer and he appointed him general manager of Morris Engines. In his first year he increased production from 300 units per week to 1200 per week.
1971 Chesney Hawkes, singer-songwriter topped the charts with "The One and Only" is the son of Len 'Chip' Hawkes of the 60's band The Tremeloes.

[Silver_Shiney]

More about these later if anyone is interested.

Whaddya mean "if"???

You know we've got an appetite for your wealth of maritime history, Frank

[Raybosailor]

23rd. September.

1459 The Battle of Blore Heath, the first major battle of the English Wars of the Roses, is fought at Blore Heath in Staffordshire.

1641 The Merchant Royal, carrying a treasure of over 100,000 pounds of gold (worth over £1 billion today), is lost at sea off Land's End. She had left Cadiz with her sister ship the Dover Merchant and it was noticed that the Royal was taking on water but they carried on and eventually lost the battle to pump her out. There is a very profitable wreck out there but I can't find any reference that says is has been located.

1980 Bob Marley plays what would be his last concert in Pittsburgh, he died the following year in Miami.

2000 British rower Steve Redgrave won his fifth consecutive gold medal at the Sydney Olympic Games.

Births
1861 Robert Bosch, German engineer and businessman who patented the first mass produced spark plug, the Bosch company is now a world leader in engineering, I have a Bosch drill that is over 50 years old and still works having replaced the motor brushes four times not bad compared to modern trash.
1920 Mickey Rooney, American actor, singer, director, and producer he died in 2014.
1943 Julio Iglesias, Spanish singer-songwriter who actually wanted to be a footballer, he played in goal for Real Madrid Castilla which is Real Madrids reserve side. His playing career ended with a serious road accident and was unable to walk for two years.
1949 Bruce Springsteen, American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
1988 Juan Martín del Potro, Argentinian tennis player, 2016 Olympic silver medalalist losing to Andy Murray.

[Raybosailor]

24th. September.

1776 The St Leger, was run for the first time at Doncaster Racecourse.

1946 Cathay Pacific Airways is founded in Hong Kong.

1948 The Honda Motor Company is founded.

1957 Camp Nou,which was the largest stadium in Europe, is opened in Barcelona.

1967 The two 'Queens' of the Cunard Line, the Queen Mary and the Queen Elizabeth, passed each other in the Atlantic for the last time.

Births
1870 Georges Claude, French chemist and engineer,he invented Neon lighting.
1883 Franklin Clarence Mars, chocolate magnate, whats your favourite Mars Bar or M&M's ?.
1931 Anthony Newley, actor, singer and songwriter.
1942 Gerry Marsden of Gerry and the Pacemakers.
1961 Jack Dee, English comedian.
1980 Victoria Pendleton,former Olympic,European and Commonwealth champion cyclist now a jockey.
1982 Morgan Hamm, American Olympic gymnast.
1982 Paul Hamm, American Olympic gymnast, yes he is the twin brother of him above.

[Raybosailor]

25th. September.

1066 At The Battle of Stamford Bridge the Vikings were defeated by King Harold, guess what happens three weeks later at Hastings.

1687 Sir Isaac Newton published his theories on gravitation.

1818 The first blood transfusion using human blood took place at Guy's Hospital in London.

1868 – The Russian steam frigate Alexander Nevsky is shipwrecked off Jutland, Grand Duke Alexei of Russia was aboard and he along with most of the crew were saved by local fishing boats.

2012 The Tullibardine whisky distillery in Perthshire signed a deal to turn by-products from their distillery into butanol to power cars. Driving while under the influence of drink in a legal manner.

Births
1929 Ronnie Barker, comedian and actor.
1946 Felicity Kendal, English actress.
1952 Christopher Reeve, American actor, 'Superman'.
1969 Catherine Zeta-Jones, Welsh born actress.

[Raybosailor]

26th. September.

1580 Sir Francis Drake finishes his circumnavigation of the Earth.

1861 The first British Open Golf Championship began at Prestwick, Ayrshire.

1934 Steamship RMS Queen Mary is launched.

1953 Sugar rationing in Britain came to an end.

1954 Japanese rail ferry Tōya Maru sinks during a typhoon in the Tsugaru Strait, Japan, killing 1,172.

1973 Concorde makes its first non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in record-breaking time.

1984 The United Kingdom and China agree to a transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong, to take place in 1997.

Births
1887 Sir Barnes Wallis, scientist, engineer and inventor of the bouncing bomb used by the RAF in the 'Dambusters' raids.
1888 T. S. Eliot, English poet.
1939 Ricky Tomlinson, English actor and screenwriter of 'Brookside' and 'The Royle Family' fame.
1945 Bryan Ferry, English singer-songwriter.
1948 – Olivia Newton-John, singer-songwriter and actress.

[Frank Manning]

The Queen Mary was launched, eventually, following a delay caused by the great depression, which cost 3000 Clydesiders their jobs. In the end only a government loan, with conditions. got production restarted. One of the conditions was that the Cunard Line should merge with White Star Line. It was also with a proviso that Cunard build a running mate for Queen Mary, and the promise of a further loan to help build it Queen Elizabeth, and I mean the real Queen Elizabeth not the toy one called QE2, or the Arcadia lookalike currently in service. The two ships were probably the ultimate in British ship building history, and went on to prove their worth in the second world war. Churchill estimated that they alone cut a full year off WWII. The Queen Mary's early competitor was the French 'Normandie'. If Queen Mary was like a dowager lady from Downton Abbey, Normandie was like Brigitte Bardot. however the world wasn't ready for BB, and the QM was much more successful commercially.

[Frank Manning]

Perhaps some are not aware that Cunard wanted to call the new ship Queen Victoria. However when they asked King George V "We would like to name our new ship after Britain's greatest Queen (QV), the King replied "I am sure my wife will be delighted to have the new ship named after her." Checkmate!

[Raybosailor]

27th. September.

1066 William the Conqueror set sail from the mouth of the River Somme in his quest to conquer England.

1854 The steamship SS Arctic sinks with 300 people on board after it collided in fog with the French steamer Vesta off the coast of Newfoundland.

1998 The Google internet search engine retrospectively claims this as its birthday, Google have named 4 different dates in September over the years so if they can't remember their own birthday how can we rely on their searches ?.

Births
1792 George Cruikshank, caricaturist and book illustrator who was responsible for the illustrations in Charles Dickens books.
1947 Barbara Dickson, Scottish singer-songwriter and actress.

[Frank Manning]

The loss of the S S Arctic was something of a scandal. More crew were saved than passengers, and despite belated calls for an enquiry there was none. Perhaps the passengers were not important enough to stir the 'establishment' into action. The waters off the Grand Banks of Newfoundland are notorious for fog, (also at certain times of the year for very large icebergs). Even though I was young I was always concerned when we ploughed ahead at full speed in thick fog and potential ice, relying on radar.

Tomorrow I am meeting the former third officer of that ship. We were very good friends for two years and then lost touch, tomorrow will be the first time we have met for just short of 54 years.

[gfwgfw]

18 years since my best friend Mr Google was introduced to our 'puter screens

[CrystalWelch]

18 years since my best friend Mr Google was introduced to our 'puter screens

Really great event!

[kaymar]

And on this day, CrystalWelch made her (just an assumption) first contribution to the forum.

Welcome, Crystal

[Raybosailor]

28th. September.

1066 William the Conqueror and his army invades England starting the Norman conquest of England.

1884 Simon Marks, a Polish immigrant, and Yorkshireman Tom Spencer opened their Penny Bazaar in Leeds, setting the foundations for the Marks and Spencer chain.

1928 It is considered that this day was when Alexander Fleming discovered a bacteria killing mould that was later to be used in the production of penicillin.

1996 At Ascot, Frankie Dettori became the first jockey to win all seven races at a meeting.

Births
1836 Thomas Crapper, English plumber, invented the floating ballcock system for flushing toilets, although his exact date of birth is not known the 28th. of September was recorded as his birth date.
1934 Brigitte Bardot, French actress.
1946 Helen Shapiro, singer best known for 'You Don't Know' and 'Walking Back to Happiness' .

[Silver_Shiney]

Welcome to the forum, Crystal

[Raybosailor]

Yes welcome to the forum Crystal